Cut-off wheels and angle grinders

   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #11  
Look at the amp and watts. HF are around 400 watts and a better one well be around 700 + watts.
 
   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #12  
Like some of the others on here, I purchased a couple extra paddle lever grinders from HF to keep as dedicated tools. I have a Dewalt that has continued to work great for many years, and I remove the wheel of choice from that each time. But I keep a flap sander wheel on one HF, and either a cutoff, grinder, or wire wheel on the other (depending on season or large project). The HF work pretty decent but not quite up to the Dewalt standards. I have used a lot of cut off wheels on them all though. The first thing to do with them is open the gear box and make sure it is packed at least half full with grease. I did mine before using the first time, and one was nearly full while the other was nearly dry.
 
   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #13  
i still have my original HF grinders, prolly 200 hours on each of them 0 issues, and i use cutoff wheels daily with them, the issue is prolly the attachment point as its easy to get the disk out of alignment when tightening.
 
   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #14  
I have two 9 amp Makitas I bought approximately 22 years ago. They've both been trouble free. Cost per year less than $5 each.

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Terry
 
   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #15  
After my antique Craftsman grinder finally died I tried a cheap HF grinder that died within 6 months. Went back and bought the $30 HF grinder which also died in short order. Went to TS and bought a Dewalt since Sears didn't sell anything remotely as good as my original. So far so good with the Dewalt. Can't say I've ever read the book that came with any of them.
 
   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #16  
I bought a cheapo HF grinder and what a $10 piece of work. It is new and I use it with cutting discs but find that the switch is awkwardly positioned and difficult to use because the hand is to close to the cutting disc. I leave it by the barn and only use it for cutting small metal pieces rather than going and getting a better grinder.

I will use it carefully until it breaks then get a Dewalt, Milwaukee or other name brands that have a better ergonomic design. I do have other name brand grinders and are much stronger easier to use; go figure.

I have bought a really heavy duty HF 4.5" grinder in times past, that would give a Milwaukee a run for the money, but the are just made super cheap now. Just need to be careful, wear gloves and hearing and eye protection. I have seen those discs just shatter,
 
   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #17  
Keep in mind that Harbor Freight has two lines of power equipment, "Drillmaster" and "Chicago Electric". If you buy the cheaper Drillmaster stuff, it's a shot in the dark. Sometimes it will hold up and sometimes it will be trash in a month. The Chicago Electric stuff is generally much better built. Both go on sale from time to time.
 
   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #18  
Most cutoff wheels (or skinny wheels as we call them) are 6" in diameter and won't fit with the poxy guard that is designed for the depressed center wheels, therefore they put the disclaimer in the manual to absolve themselves of liability when someone sets up a cutter and it grenades on them due to improper handling. As long as you pay attention to the rpm limits on the consumables and keep exposed skin and faces out of the scatter arc and go easy on the feed, it should work fine.
 
   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #19  
Keep in mind that Harbor Freight has two lines of power equipment, "Drillmaster" and "Chicago Electric". If you buy the cheaper Drillmaster stuff, it's a shot in the dark. Sometimes it will hold up and sometimes it will be trash in a month. The Chicago Electric stuff is generally much better built. Both go on sale from time to time.

I won't waste my money on the Drill Master stuff because it ain't worth the cheap price!!
How ever, I just installed Hardie Plank Siding on a 2568 sq ft house this past summer and used the Chicago Electric grinder with a diamond blade to cut and trim all the planks and it is still working great!
The Hardie dust is deadly because it is so fine and you can't breath it. I blew out the dust from the grinder from time to time with compressed air.
I own half dozen others and they are still working great.
 
   / Cut-off wheels and angle grinders #20  
grinding disk to face.jpg sometimes zhit happens
 

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